Women off to World Championships in Tahiti

“Age is an issue of
mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t
matter” – Mark Twain.

The women of the Heretaunga
Iron Maidens Waka Ama team definitely don’t mind after
recently qualifying for the World Waka Ama Championships in
Tahiti this July. Sport Hawke’s Bay caught up with Hillary
Scott-Ker, the youngest member of the squad, about the
teams’ admirable achievements.

Most of the women on
the team have been paddling for 5-6 years for various
reasons. Scott-Ker only found the sport last year when she
went along to a give-it-a-go evening at Clive River. She was
looking for a team sport that would provide something a
little easier on the joints than running.

Soon enough
she had heard that a group of women had set their targets on
the World Championships in Tahiti. With much her
competitiveness she had said to the club instructor “I
want to be in that Waka.”

“Well you’ll have to
earn your spot,” said Roy Boone, coach of the Iron
Maidens.

She set to work and 12 months later that’s
where she ended up.

“To be part of a team with these
women is an incredible experience,” said Scott-Ker.
“Each of us are so focused, driven and competitive. It’s
been extraordinary to find kindred souls of this age
group.”

The team that will be paddling in the Senior
Masters women’s age group (50-60) at the World
Championships had to achieve a top-6 placing in their events
at the New Zealand Championships in January. The Hawke’s
Bay women came away with a silver medal in the W12 and a
sixth place in the W500, qualifying for the World Champs in
two events.

What’s even more incredible to think is
that a couple of the paddlers had been diagnosed with Breast
Cancer in the past. For Scott-Ker, she emphasizes the
importance of not letting breast cancer define who she is.
“Women in our age group are still capable of competing at
a high level - it just takes determination, commitment and a
great group of likeminded individuals.”

The team,
made up of Gaylene Moore, Karen Skipper-Hawaikitangi,
Roberta Brown, Moana Whenuroa, Ngamata Maeva and Scot-Ker,
will be looking for ways to fund their World Championship
target over the next few months.

With such inspiring
leaders in the Waka Ama community, Sport Hawke’s Bay hopes
this level of determination and commitment rubs off on other
young girls and women wanting to follow in their
footsteps.

Scoop Citizen Members and ScoopPro Organisations are the lifeblood of Scoop.

20 years of independent publishing is a milestone, but your support is essential to keep Scoop thriving. We are building on our offering with new In-depth Engaged Journalism platform - thedig.nz.
Find out more and join us:

Melanie Bunce cut her teeth in journalism at the Otago Daily Times. Now she teaches and researches it at one of the UK’s most prestigious journalism schools and tracks the trends that shape the uncertain future of news... More>>

Te Papa’s Chief Executive Geraint Martin announced today he will step down from the role at the end of the year. Mr Martin said he had achieved what he set out to do at the museum, and Te Papa was in a strong position for the future. More>>

ALSO:

Originally published in 2001, A City Possessed is the harrowing account of one of New Zealand’s most high-profile criminal cases – a story of child sexual abuse allegations, gender politics and the law. More>>